Work

Crop Resilience in Arid Soil Systems with Brackish Water Irrigation in Tunisia

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: In arid regions, irrigation is essential for sustaining crop production, but irrigation water often contains high levels of salts that may reduce yields. This study aimed to evaluate crop responses to irrigation water with salinity levels exceeding 4 g/L (≈6.25 dS/m). A large-scale field survey was conducted across several Tunisian governorates, covering a wide range of crops and production systems. Irrigation water salinity and corresponding crop yields were recorded and analyzed to determine tolerance patterns under real farming conditions. Results indicate that, even under high salinity conditions, several cropssuch as carrot (Daucus carota), barley (Hordeum vulgare), and tomato (Solanum lycpersicum), can maintain high yields, highlighting their potential for saline irrigation in arid regions. These findings provide valuable insights for irrigation management, crop selection, and the development of sustainable agricultural practices in arid environments.

Source: Soil Systems

DOI: 10.3390/soilsystems10010009

Authors: Marwa Zouari, Mohamed Hachicha, Ewald Schnug

Institutions: University of Carthage, National Research Institute of Rural Engineering, Water and Forests, Technische Universität Braunschweig

Language: English

Topic: Irrigation Practices and Water Management

Subfield: Soil Science

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

SDGs: Zero hunger, Clean water and sanitation

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,172